Hunter Education FAQs

Education Certificates

Q: Do I need a hunter education certificate to purchase a hunting license?A: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1960 must show proof of hunter education to purchase a hunting license. Proof of hunter education includes a hunter education certificate or past hunting license with a hunter education number or identifying mark from either the U.S. or Canada.

Q: What is a Hunter Education Certificates?A: A Hunter Education Certificate proves you have successfully completed a hunter education course. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has records from 1974 to date of all hunter education participants who have taken classes in Nevada.

Q: What if I received my hunter education in another state?A: You will need to get proof of your hunter education elsewhere before you can purchase a hunting license in Nevada.

Q: What is a Hunter Education Duplicate Certificates?A: Duplicate Certificates are replacement Certificates in case your original hunter education certificate is lost or destroyed

Q: Where can I get a duplicate certificate?A: Online: You can print your Nevada duplicate certificate online at www.ndowlicensing.com. NDOW Offices: You can visit any NDOW office in Reno, Fallon, Elko, Winnemucca, Ely, Henderson, and Las Vegas.

Q: How much does a duplicate certificate cost?A: Duplicate certificates are free of charge.

Q: What information do I need to find my record and print a duplicate certificate?A: You will need to enter your Date of Birth and your Sportsman’s ID number or Social Security number on the Duplicate Hunter Education Certificate search page found at www.ndowlicensing.com.

Q: What happens if I cannot find my record?A: Please contact your Regional Hunter Education Coordinator by clicking on the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the search page.

Q: Am I required to have a hunter education certificate to apply for a big game tag?A: Yes, the Hunt Application Office requires proof of hunter education along with license and tag applications. Proof of hunter education may be a previous license with a hunter education number or identifying mark.

Youth Hunting in Nevada

Q: At what age is a hunting license required?
A: Any person 12 years or older who hunts game birds or game mammals in Nevada is required to have a hunting license or a combination license. In order to purchase a hunting license, you must first complete a hunter safety course and receive a hunter safety card, which certifies completion of the course.

Q: Can youth hunt unaccompanied in Nevada?
A: Youths aged 14 and older, who have a valid license, and have received parental permission, may hunt unaccompanied with a rifle or shotgun that is not a semi-automatic firearm.

Q: If a youth is unaccompanied, what are the restrictions on possessing firearms while in a motor vehicle?
A youth under age 18 may not be in possession or control of a semi-automatic firearm (shotguns and rifles included) that has a loaded magazine in the firearm (with or without a round in the chamber) while in a motor vehicle. Juveniles also may not possess or have under their control a revolver with rounds in the cylinder when in a motor vehicle.

Q: Who is eligible to hunt in the Youth Waterfowl Hunt?
A: Youths, aged 15 and younger, are eligible to hunt in the youth waterfowl hunt. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.

Q: How old do you have to be to hunt big game in Nevada?
A: Anyone age 12 and older who possesses a hunting license is eligible to apply for a big game tag and to hunt big game in Nevada. Youths aged 12-15 are eligible to apply for the resident junior youth hunt. In addition, anyone 11 years old who will turn 12 prior to opening date of the season they will be applying for, is eligible to apply for a tag.

Q: How old do you have to be to hunt for upland game and waterfowl in Nevada?
A: There is no minimum age, however, at the age of 12, you are required by law to take a hunter safety course and receive a Nevada hunter safety card. This hunter safety card is required to purchase a hunting license.

Q: How old do you have to be to apply for any tag species hunts in Nevada?
A: minimum age of 12 to hunt tagged species.

Q: How old do you have to be to apply for the resident junior deer hunt?
A: You must be at least 12 years old prior to the beginning of the season for which you are applying, and younger than 17 on the last day of the season for which you are applying.